Keeping it to Himself
Recent émigré to New Zealand, British media-specialist David Jeffries, 43, says he misses nothing about England in his new hometown of Auckland where he runs the award-winning company Mere Mortals, which also has an…
Tag Archives: Financial Times
With Gratitude
Thanks be to New Zealand for giving the UK butter and for the might of Sir Keith Park writes The Financial Times’ Miss Moneypenny. “New Zealand’s dairy farmers deserve support for coming to the…
Perfect Pinot
Martinborough is home to Kusuda Wines, a vineyard owned by Japanese former diplomat Hiroyuki Kusuda and opened in 2001. Kusuda came to New Zealand to work as an assistant to his friend Kai Schubert,…
Via the Red Route
Since its opening in 1995, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary – recently renamed Zealandia – has assisted in halting the continued demise of many native bird species, releasing 15 endangered species back into the…
Land of plenty
The Financial Times devotes a sizeable spread to the “veritable culinary cornucopia” that is NZ. “‘Used to be that a big night out would be to Barry’s Bistro for Steak Diane and a big…
Walks, Wine & Weka
Financial Times travel writer Nick Haslam heads to Marlborough, where he walks the famed Queen Charlotte Track, meets a weka, sips wine at Furneaux Lodge, and circumnavigates Mabel Island via kayak. The journey ends on a…
An Ill Wind That Blows Some Good?
“Wise environmental husbandry or flatulent political correctness? An ill wind or a fair wind?” Financial Times takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the proposed ‘fart tax’ to be levied on NZ dairy and sheep farmers. Methane produced by…
Something to Sing About
Singing star Jonathan Lemalu gave a recital at London’s St Lawrence Jewry church as part of the City of London’s New Generations series. Financial Times: “In the English-language repertoire the young New Zealander is…
Wellywood Weighs In
An Anna Fifield Financial Times feature reviews the remarkable growth of the NZ film industry in the wake of its latest coup: Peter Jackson’s King Kong. “For the country’s film industry, the project marks…
Creative Edge Export
A sharp demonstration of the New Zealand Edge: Financial Time’s article ‘Time is on their side’ trumpets the on-island advantage and new world export success of Christchurch creative agency TimeZoneOne. Boosted by the value…
Queenstown on Cruise Control
“Adrenalin, who needs it?” John Westbrooke discovers the secret to an enjoyable Queenstown holiday for over-60’s, recommending cheese-tasting, wine tours, and gondolier rides over the ubiquitous bungee jump. Not an extreme sport in sight!
Middle Line Management
NZ Reserve Bank governor Don Brash, has stepped down after 14 years in the top job as central banker to make a new career for himself as a politician. Widely regarded as the architect of New…
Where Can Jackson Go From Here?
If anyone wants Citizen Kane remade, here is the man “Potter was made by a committee masquerading as a director. Rings is made by a genius masquerading as a normal human being….it takes a…
Granted Respect
“About a third of the 96 professional sailors competing in the Volvo Ocean Race are New Zealanders. But only one, Grant Dalton, commands instant recognition and awed respect from his international peer group as well as his…
GE Free?
Against anxiety that it will affect our clean, green image, New Zealand’s Royal Commission on Genetic Engineering suggests cautious introduction of GM. In reaction, Kiwi artists raising their voice include Dave Dobbyn and Bic Runga wearing their…
Financial Future Rosy
Finance Minister Michael Cullen optimistic about New Zealand’s economic future despite the global slowdown.
On the Up
A low dollar, good tourism revenues and buoyant international prices for our primary commodities are leading New Zealand towards an unexpectedly strong export-lead recovery, including a $95million current account surplus. Also, “It was a boomer,” says UBS Warburg…
Lego Language Insult
New Lego trading cards feature words like “toa”, “kanohi” and “whenua” – sound suspiciously familiar?
Insiders Out
The New Zealand Government is to tighten rules controlling insider trading on the stock market.
Kreme de la Kreme
New Zealander Donald Henshall is the new president of international development for Krispy Kreme, makers of President Clinton’s favourite doughnuts.
Centrist Thinking
Geographical isolation meant New Zealand’s “great experiment” with “radically liberal economic ideas” was bound to fail…
Entrepreneurial Drive
The Waikato Management School has launched an innovative scheme to counter the supposed Brain Drain.
Sir Ron Brierley: 61 Not Out
Sir Ron described by the Financial Times as the “cricket mad corporate raider” and “one of the most controversial corporate figures of the past twenty years” knocked the London Stock Exchange for six when his Guiness Peat…
Kiwi Curator Appointed to Prestigious Post
Dr Christopher de Hamel has been appointed to one of the world’s most prestigious library posts at Cambridge University’s Parker Library. Formerly a senior valuer at Sothebys, de Hamel is the first Donnelly Fellow…
The Edge Beckons
The Financial Times ponders years of reform, New Zealand’s loss of confidence in its ability to survive in an era of globalisation and evaluates the context: what is the role of a small western economy on the…
World’s Second Largest Mall Gets Submerged in Kiwi Designed Undersea Experience
Underwater Adventures at Mall of America has recently expanded its its exhibit space. “Originally built for $25million, the aquarium was designed by New Zealand ocean explorer Kelly Tarlton, using his trademark glass tunnel that revolutionised the traditional…
Streaming Coolness Reveals Beautiful Form at Tekapo Canal
From the Bangkok Post: “Simple and beautiful, these little stones reveal the time it takes to be ‘cool’ inside and out.”
Moving Places: Peter Carr
Peter Carr has been promoted to chief financial officer and chief actuary of Pearl Assurance, the life and pensions arm of AMP. Carr joined Pearl as chief actuary from AMP New Zealand.
Nicola Barker, Winner of the World’s Most Lavish Award for Fiction, Gets Lyrical About Dunedin
Spreading her wings in wide open spaces, Nicola Barker in the Observer immerses heartily herself in Dunedin nature and culture and comes up smiling. “This is a happy, happy place. The Albatross shows us its fluffy…
Aussies Tell Flightless Kiwis: “You Can Be My Wing-man Anyday”
If New Zealand looks to emulate Iceland or Costa Rica, and do away with its combat air-force and emphasise its peacekeeping role, its best pilots can rest safely in the knowledge that the Australian air-force will…
New Zealand Spreads No-nukes Message
In a letter to the editor of the Financial Times spokesperson for the New Agenda Coalition, Mexican Ambassador Antonio de Icaza, expressed concern at current developments “whereby nuclear weapons are being re-rationalised for the foreseeable future; indeed…
“She is Right Mate” New Zealand Sheep and Cattle Reap Benefit of Revolution
Immense changes under way in NZ farming, ranging from challenges of e-commerce and overseas trade restraints, to the costly introduction of organic produce and changing market demands, mean that NZ farming is poised for one of its…
Kiwi Revolutionises Advertising Through Seamless Internet Surfing
Financial Times special report “Japanese Internet Tsumani”, looks at how the internet is making reaching customers easy: “you can be sitting in the back of a taxi in a traffic jam checking your stocks, paying bills. It…
Wind Wand Blows Over Hurricanes as Talk of the Town in New Plymouth
In the rural New Zealand town of New Plymouth rugby-loving citizens are normally attuned to talking about the local rugby team, the Hurricanes, but a 45 metre tall wand erected for the millennium has…
Muse behind Watership Down
Ronald Lockley, internationally renowned naturalist, died in New Zealand on April 12, aged 96. The Economist obituary dryly notes that “New Zealanders liked Ronald Lockley, admired his reputation as a protector of nature, and…
Quality Not Quantity for NZ Wines This Year
Fickle Summer weather and cold autumn southerly winds have made it likely that New Zealand will produce a disappointingly small crop of sauvingon blanc grapes this year … the plus side is that the small vintage…
Crack Kiwi Anti-predator Experts Keep Puffin Puffing
Bird-counting volunteer Louise Tickle sees positive effects of New Zealand wildlife preservation techniques on British seabird populations.
Call me Mr Comedy
New Zealand-born Four Weddings and a Funeral/Blackadder creator, Comic Relief co-founder and top scriptwriter Richard Curtis discusses his career on BBC Radio4. Register and search to view Archives
Fine Wineries, Better Views. John Westbrooke Visits a Gourmet Hotspot
Martinborough used to be a sunny, sommolent village serving the farmers on the Wairarapa River Valley. It’s still a village, but it’s also the latest hot spot for the New Zealand wine industry.
Sweet and Sour at the Sugar Club
The Sugar Club and its sister restaurant Bali Sugar, epitomise the radical, cosmopolitan and mainly beneficial changes that have transformed London’s restaurants over the last decade.
New Zealand Wilderness a Hit with Big-budget Filmmakers
Ever since Jane Campion brought the surging savage West Coast of Auckland’s Karekare beach and the rain-soaked bush to the world in her award winning film The Piano nearly a decade ago, more and…
Cool Hand on Deck
“Sir Peter Blake, head of Team New Zealand, is that rare thing: an international celebrity who has remained popular in a homeland where cutting “tall poppies” down to size is a national pastime …”
Youth TV Prepares for the Digital Challenge
Interview: Brent Hansen: MTV Europe’s president has seen the network flourish in his 13 years there.
